The United States has released $5 million to help UNICEF expand its response to acute malnutrition affecting children in Nigeria’s north-west.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to a statement from the US embassy, the funding will enable UNICEF to deliver ready-to-use food, medical supplies, and other relief items to at least 70,000 vulnerable children.
UNICEF recently noted that Nigeria has the largest population of malnourished children in Africa and ranks second globally. Nemat Hajeebhoy, UNICEF’s nutrition chief, explained that about 600,000 children are currently battling acute malnutrition, with many of them at risk of slipping into more severe conditions.
Her comments came as the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs appealed for $300 million to address a worsening food and nutrition crisis in the region.
OCHA’s request followed its disclosure that the agency has started reducing its operations in Nigeria due to a major funding gap that emerged after the US trimmed its foreign aid.
The US had previously covered nearly half of global humanitarian assistance. However, after President Donald Trump assumed office, most foreign aid initiatives were halted, the US withdrew from the World Health Organisation, and the United States Agency for International Development was dismantled.
Congress later approved a rescissions package that eliminated funding for several humanitarian programmes in 2025, including $142 million meant for UNICEF’s core activities. These actions prompted warnings from UN bodies about the global impact of the cuts.
Despite the reductions, the US embassy said the new $5 million support to UNICEF reflects America’s continued commitment to global leadership, strength, and compassion.
